Apr 4 How To Treat & Prevent Bad Breath (Halitosis)

Let’s briefly discuss some options out there to treat and prevent bad breath. For most people, most of the time, this is either easily treated or prevented and I wanted to share with you some of the ways you can accomplish this.

However, to briefly summarize the causes of bad breath, the list includes, but is not limited to:

Poor dental hygiene.

Certain foods

Smoking

Dry Mouth

Other dental causes such as cavities or tonsil stones

Certain medical conditions like acid reflux, pneumonia or diabetes

Brush and floss more often

Poor dental hygiene is the most common cause of bad breath. When plaque builds up, bacteria growth in your mouth increases dramatically. Trapped food can also contribute.

According to the American Dental Association, you should brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once a day. It’s also recommended that you do this after meals and first thing in the morning, when the overgrowth of bacteria in your mouth is at it’s daily peak.

Also make sure to replace your toothbrush regularly, at least every 2-3 months.

Scrape your tongue

When brushing your teeth, make sure you scrape your tongue as well. This can be a source of bacterial overgrowth if ignored. If you know this is a problem, try buying a scraper made specifically for this purpose as a tooth brush may not always be adequate.

Avoid food that can make your breath smell bad

Certain foods, including but not limited to fish, cheeses, onions, garlic, other vegetables and spices can cause bad breath. This can occur because in small quantities of the food in your mouth can be malodorous or they can travel through your bloodstream and be expelled from your lungs. Either way, avoid eating them when you know you will be socializing and/or brush your teeth after you consume them.

Quit smoking

Everyone knows that smoking is bad for your health, in fact, check out this video of 88 reasons why smoking is bad for your health. One of the more hygienic reasons is that it can cause your breath to be quite foul. It can also stain your teeth, cause gum disease and increase your risk of cancer.

Use mouthwash regularly

Mouthwash is an excellent supplement to brushing and flossing. They make types that are antibacterial and can really reduce the amount of foul smelling bacteria in your mouth. Getting rid of that bacteria can improve your breath in addition to the scents added to the mouthwash. Alternatively, if you don’t have any mouthwash, just swishing around water can help in a pinch.

Remove your dentures at night

If you wear removable dentures, take them out at night. Also make sure to clean them with a denture cleanser before inserting them again in the morning.

Suffer from dry mouth?

If you suffer from dry mouth, which can be caused by many things, try chewing on sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar free candies. This will promote saliva production, which will help fight off those foul smelling bacteria.

Nothing else worked?

Talk to your dentist or primary care doctor about your concerns. There are many dental and medical causes of bad breath that may require more than at home remedies. If the above suggestions do not work, talk to a professional about other options.